2016 L.A. Auto Show: SUVs, Electrification, Mobility

The 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show is riding the auto industry’s wave toward mobility, having rebranded itself as AutoMobility LA. Mobility encompasses more than a car; it’s a transportation eco-system, and this year auto manufacturers were eager to show how they are laying the groundwork for this radical, and seemingly rapid, evolution.

The mobility revolution is happening through greater connectivity, manufacturers' suites of transportation services, electrification, and the introduction of autonomous vehicles themselves. At the same time, manufacturers are placing the car at the center in this new world. This year's show reflected an increasing appetite in the marketplace for SUVs and a proliferation of high-end pickup trucks.

Cars are now connected to their environment through third-party tech providers such as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple's CarPlay, and Google's Android Auto. Hyundai introduced its Blue Link system, which gathers car diagnostics, telematics information, and remote start-stop functionality in an app. Other automakers have similar systems.

Photo of 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV by Paul Clinton.

BMW announced the expansion of its ReachNow service, which encompasses peer-to-peer carsharing of late-model Minis, a ride-hailing service similar to Uber and Lyft, delivery of a rental vehicle, and sharing of BMWs for residences and businesses. Ford's CEO Mark Field’s keynote addressed how Ford is taking the company into new transportation partnerships as well.

GM’s Maven carsharing service is now offering Uber ride-sharing drivers the option to lease vehicles by the week or longer at discounted rates, and Hyundai has teamed up with electric carsharing service WaiveCar to give users the opportunity to drive the new Hyundai Ioniq electric vehicles for two hours at no charge. The vehicle is wrapped in advertising and includes a roof-mounted digital display that generates advertising revenue.

Volvo introduced Volvo On Call, a mobile concierge service that allows Volvo owners to get their vehicle refueled, washed, and serviced at their convenience. Volvo owners can send requests for refueling, maintenance, and other services to their nearest Volvo dealer. The app also suggests when maintenance is needed. Volvo is launching a pilot of the concierge service among owners of the new Volvo XC90 SUV and S90 luxury sedan in San Francisco that's set to begin in November.

The Atlas, which is expected to replace the Touareg luxury SUV, will help Volkswagen expand its lineup in the wake of its exit from clean diesel.

"We want to grow in the U.S. market and be a relevant player," said Hinrich Woebcken, head of North American operations.

Subaru also unveiled its VISIV-7 three-row, seven-seat SUV concept it plans to offer in 2018 as the largest SUV the automaker has ever produced. The automaker said the mid-size SUV is intended to grow its vehicle sales 30% by 2020.

Photo of 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric by Paul Clinton.

A cornucopia of luxury SUVs dotted the show floor, including the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio performance-oriented crossover, three-row 2017 Land Rover Discovery, and Jaguar's compact I-Pace that's expected to go on sale in early 2018 as a battery-electric model. MINI brought its next-generation 2017 MINI Countryman, which will now include a plug-in hybrid variant.

While it could be argued that the electrification push is mostly to satisfy new federal regulations that require a higher corporate average fuel economy, automakers say there is a still-growing market of eco-conscious consumers, and the autonomous driving future doesn’t ultimately include fossil fuels.

One presentation on electrified vehicles was optimistic about the technology, with one presenter citing a decline in the number of gasoline fueling stations since 2006.

Photo of 2017 Ram 2500 Limited crew cab by Paul Clinton.

While it's not electrified, Elio Motors brought its highly efficient E1c two-person personal transportation vehicle it hopes may find a place among food service and pest control fleets. The vehicle, which is classified as a motorcycle, is expected to have a base price of $7,300 and get 84 mpg. It should arrive in late 2017.

Finally, the concept car went autonomous at this year’s show, with reveals of driverless concepts from Hyundai and Kia.

A start-up manufacturer, Local Motors, revealed the most future-reaching vehicle of all with Olli, a self-driving, electric, partially 3D printed minibus. No longer a concept, Olli is open source and "micro-manufactured," and it has already been sold to several municipalities.

One presentation on autonomous vehicles focused on the benefits of a future with autonomous vehicles — including improved parking space efficiency, reduced traffic fatalities, and easier transit by using autonomous vehicles as first/last mile modes of transit.